Protective Effect of Whey Protein Supplement Against Rotenone Induced Motor Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Parkinson...

We aimed to investigate the effects of whey protein (WP) supplements in a rat model of rotenone-induced locomotor and biochemical features of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Male Wistar rats were used. Daily injections of rotenone (2 mg/kg; i.p.) for 16 days were used to induce PD. WP or soy protein (SP) at 1, 2, and 4 g/rats were administrated daily by gavage. Motor skills were measured in rats 24 h after the last injection using the bar test, grid test, rearing, and open field tests. In the following, striatum tissue was isolated for biochemical measurements. ELISA kits were used for biochemical assessments.

While rotenone caused a significant increase in the delay time in both the bar and grid tests and a significant decrease in the motor activities were observed in both rearing and spontaneous movement tests in the rotenone group, supplementation with 2 and 4 g of WP, but not SP, significantly decreased the delay time in the bar and grid tests and also significantly increased both rearing and spontaneous movements. Additionally, rotenone caused a significant decrease in striatal levels of dopamine and glutathione and significantly increased apoptotic caspases 8, 9, and Cytochrome C, while 2 and 4 g of WP, but not SP, significantly reversed these effects.

WP appears to have neuroprotective effects against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity and motor dysfunction, so it may be effective in the control of PD.